Just a couple of days ago, developers Trollheim & Off-leash Interactive officially unveiled Trollheim: Gnomes. Currently available to wishlist on Steam, this PC-exclusive title throws players into a dangerous Nordic folklore fantasy realm. Furthermore, it delivers a fresh open-world survival experience for solo players or up to eight friends in cooperative multiplayer.
An Expanding Universe & Tiny Heroes
Trollheim is much more than just a standalone video game. It operates as a sprawling intellectual property with deep lore, similar to Middle-earth. In fact, a fantasy book titled ‘Trollheim: Tale of Sýstir’ already explores this universe. Moreover, the creators plan to expand this franchise into other media formats, including music.
Inside the game, you play as a group of displaced gnomes. These tiny creatures have lost their homeland and must find a new sanctuary. Eventually, their journey leads them directly into the treacherous Dark Forest. Therefore, players must reunite their scattered kind, overcome intense hardships, and forge a safe shelter.
Strategic Combat Against Massive Väsen
Because you play as small gnomes, the game utilizes a massive scale difference. This perspective heavily resembles games like ‘Grounded’. Consequently, you cannot rely on simple brute force to win fights. Instead, players must use clever hunting tactics and traps to defeat much larger enemies.
Your primary targets are the “Väsen”. This term serves as the Swedish word for mythical beings. During your journey, you will fight massive trolls, deadly sirens, and other mythical creatures. However, not all beings in the Dark Forest want to kill you. Some Väsen are actually friendly and will actively help you survive.
Trollheim: Gnomes Promises Unrestricted Base Building
Most survival games feature basic base-building mechanics. Yet, Trollheim: Gnomes promises a highly flexible system. You can construct your base almost anywhere in the environment. For instance, you can build detailed homes inside hollowed logs or tuck them safely away inside tight rock crevices. Additionally, you can build vertical treehouses in the canopy or settle down beside mist-filled forest lakes.
Currently, the game lacks an official release window. However, the developers confirmed it will launch in Early Access on Steam before a full 1.0 release. This early version will include core survival gameplay, diverse biomes, and several unique Väsen. Furthermore, players will instantly gain access to multi-tier crafting, advanced cooking, vertical traversal, and massive underground cave networks.